BARRE, Vt. – Bond Auto Parts Inc. created a fundraising mission during this holiday season to raise $45,000 for local food shelves. Food shelves across the region are typically hit hard during the holiday season and money raised can go to purchasing food to replenish the shelves or help run their programs.

“We wanted to create a program to raise funds for food shelves in each community where we have stores,” said Scott Bond, president and CEO. “We drilled it down to the local level, figuring if each store raised $1,000, that would add up to a big number company-wide.”

Bond Auto has 45 store locations throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York. Each store has been working since Thanksgiving to raise $1,000 to donate to a local food shelf within their community. To date, Bond Auto stores and their customers have raised just under $26,000. The program goes until midday on Dec. 31. People who come into any Bond Auto Parts store and make a $5 food shelf donation will receive a $10 off coupon valid at any Bond Auto store for a future purchase.

“Our customer base traditionally is very good about supporting our charitable missions throughout the year,” said Mark Mast, VP of marketing. “We felt that creating a come-back coupon would give something back to our customers too.”

Once the program wraps up at the end of the year, Bond will be forwarding the donations to a food shelf in each stores’ local community.

For more information about the Bond Auto “Good Neighbor Discount” Food Shelf program, go towww.bondauto.com/bond-gives-back/food-shelf.